General Studies – 1

Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.

Key demand of the question.

The question wants us to write in detail about the moderate phase of the congress between 1885 and 1905. We have to write in detail about the first phase and its modest programme.

Structure of the answer

Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the moderate phase of Indian freedom struggle. E.g The early years (1885- 1905) saw the evolution of Indian National Congress. During this period the Congress was dominated by moderate leaders.

Body-

Discuss about the programme of the first phase of the congress and bring out how it was modest in nature. E.g

the organisation of the provincial councils,

simultaneous examination for the I.C.S. in India and England,

the abolition or reconstitution of the Indian Council,

the separation of the Judiciary from the executive,

the repeal of the Arms Act,

the appointment of Indians to the commissioned ranks in the Army,

the reduction of military expenditure, and

the introduction of Permanent Settlement to other parts of India.

This phase of the Congress is known as the Moderate phase. During this period the leaders

were cautious in their demands. They did not want to annoy the government and incur the

risk of suppression of their activities.

Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.

Examine- here we have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any.

Key demand of the question.

The question wants us to development and rise of the nationalist moderate thought and discuss at length as to how it can be traced back to Raja Rammohan Roy.

Structure of the answer

Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the development of moderate thought in India. E.g he Moderates had played an important role at a critical period in the history of Indian nationalism.

Body-

Discuss how development of modern thought can be traced back to the Raja Rammohan Roy. E.g

The flowering of the Moderate thought was the culmination of a tradition which can be traced back to Raja Rammohun Roy, who stood for the rational, liberal tradition of contemporary Europe.

His ideas of reforms ultimately provided the basis for the demands put forward by the early Congress.

As with Rammohun, so with the early Congress leaders, the presence of the British administration was important for continued political progress.

Quite understandably, their language was cautious and their expectation moderate.

But with changing times, the Moderates also began to alter their position.

By 1905 Gokhale had started speaking of self-rule as the goal and in 1906 it was Dadabhai Naoroji who mentioned the word Swaraj as the goal of the Congress etc.

Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.

Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.

Key demand of the question.

The question wants us to write in detail about Gandhi’s work, role in South Africa and how his stay there shaped his ideology and style of work.

Structure of the answer

Introduction– write a few introductory lines about MK Gandhi. E.g In January 1915, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to his homeland after two decades of residence abroad.

Body-

Discuss how South Africa shaped Gandhi ji. E.g

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (his birth name) arrived in South Africa in 1893 at the relatively tender age of 24 as a newly qualified lawyer on a temporary assignment to act on behalf of a local Indian trader in a commercial dispute.

It was in South Africa that Mahatma Gandhi first forged the distinctive techniques of nonviolent protest known as satyagraha, first promoted harmony between religions, and first alerted upper -caste Indians to their discriminatory treatment of low castes and women.

Discuss about some of the famous protests and satyagrahas launched by Gandhi in S. Africa. E.g Gandhi formed the Natal Indian Congress in 1894. This organisation led non-violent protests against the oppressive treatment of the white people towards the native Africans and Indians.

In September 1906, Gandhi organised the first Satyagraha campaign to protest against the Transvaal Asiatic ordinance that was constituted against the local Indians. Again in June 1907, he held Satyagraha against the Black Act.

Discuss about the issues for which Gandhiji fought against the white government in S. Africa etc.

Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.

Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

Key demand of the question.

The question wants us to express our knowledge and understanding of the Gandhian phase of nationalism and express our opinion as to what extent was the phase contributed by leaders and freedom fighters other than Gandhi.

Structure of the answer

Introduction– write a few introductory lines about Mahatma Gandhi and his role. E.g While Mahatma Gandhi’s mass appeal was undoubtedly genuine – and in the context of Indian politics, without precedent – it must also be stressed that his success in broadening the basis of nationalism was based on careful organisation.

Body-

Discuss the contribution of leaders and freedom fighters, including Gandhi, in Gandhian nationalism. E.g

Between 1917 and 1922, a group of highly talented Indians attached themselves to Gandhiji.

The article discusses the issues related to forest rights and how the tribal population of India has ended up getting the raw deal when it comes to forest rights. The article discusses the viewpoints of various stakeholders and how we have not been able to do justice to the tribal panchsheel policy.

Key demand of the question

The question expects us to discuss the plight of the adivasi population and how by denying them their forest rights, they have been reduced to a status of refugee in their own country. The question expects us to discuss how forests have, over the past two decades, become the new contested arenas between a range of people and the impact that such contests have had on the adivasi population.

Directive word

Critically comment – When you are asked to comment, you have to pick main points and give your ‘opinion’ on them based on evidences or arguments stemming from your wide reading. Your opinion may be for or against, but you must back your argument with evidences. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a fair judgement.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – Explain about the issue – In a writ petition (civil) No. 109/2008, filed before the SC by some ‘conservation’ groups and a few relics of the forest bureaucracy, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 or the Forest Rights Act was assailed as being contrary to the Constitution and therefore outside the powers of Parliament to legislate.

Body

Explain about the forest rights act and how it seeks to protect the interests of the traditional forest dwellers.

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) was an attempt to remedy this ‘historical injustice’ to the forest dwellers it recognised as ‘integral to the very survival and sustainability of the forest ecosystem’.

It set up a mechanism — with the Gram Sabhas as the nodal bodies — for the recognition (rather than the paternalistic ‘granting’) of the rights of these peoples to use forests in a sustainable way, for their livelihoods. It also charged these same people and the Gram Sabhas with the conservation of these natural resources.

procedural rights under the FRA under Rule 13 has been fraught with issues related to bureaucratic insistences

Discuss the viewpoint of the conservationist and the impact that lack of forest rights has had on the tribal population of the country. Explain about the tribal panchsheel policy of Nehru and how we have not implemented it in letter and in spirit. Highlight that efforts to oust the tribals have been motivated by mineral wealth exploitation etc

The article discusses the status of India Pakistan relations which has seen heightened levels of acrimony in the days gone by with things coming to a head with the threat of war looming. The article touches upon these issues and discusses ways to de-escalate the tension.

Key demand of the question

The question expects us to bring out the status quo of relations between India and Pakistan, highlight that the threat of war is looming large over the countries. Thereafter, we need to give our view based on reasoned arguments about the next course of action.

Directive word

Comment – When you are asked to comment, you have to pick main points and give your ‘opinion’ on them based on evidences or arguments stemming from your wide reading. Your opinion may be for or against, but you must back your argument with evidences.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – Explain that relations between the two countries is at its nader.

Body

Discuss the reasons which led to the current sequence of events

Discuss about the possible course of actions going forward such as release of IAF pilot which could set the course for de-escalate of tension between the two countries, ways through which Pakistan can be brought to the dialogue table and how international pressure can be built for ensuring that Pakistan takes credible action against terror groups on its soil

The article brings out the huge potential of 5G technology and discusses its application and the impact on various sectors. The technology has been in news for quite some time and the article provides an interesting insight into its various applications.

Key demand of the question

The question expects us to first explain about 5g technology and thereafter discuss its potential in various areas and how it can prove useful. The question also expects us to discuss the impact of these applications and discuss how India can make use of it in the best possible manner.

Directive word

Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any .

Structure of the answer

Introduction – Explain what do you understand by 5g technology.

Body

Discuss the various applications of the technology such as

5G not only represents a generational leap in connectivity speeds, the new network standard will also introduce lower latency (for improved response) and the ability to connect more devices at once

5G will revolutionize the mobile experience with supercharged wireless network, which can support up to 10 to 20 GBPS of data download speed. It is equivalent to a fiber optic Internet connection accessed wirelessly. Compared to conventional mobile transmission technologies, voice and high-speed data can be simultaneously transferred efficiently in 5G etc

Discuss the various areas in which the technology can be employed for better results

Discuss the limitations of the technology – High investment cost which makes telecom companies unsure about RoI, in India the telecom sector is facing capital augmentation issues which need to be resolved etc

Conclusion – Give your view on the potential of the technology and the way forward.

NOTE:

We are giving hints for each question. Please use your creativity and originality to come up with answers that are unique to you. But do so without deviating from core demand of each question. Ultimately you should use your reason and judgement to write your own answer.